Chair base



R. BIRR CHAIR BASE April 5, 1949.

Filed NOV. 8, 1946 J w m o ,v WWW@ vo m Q Patented Apr. 5, 1949 CHAIR BASE Rudolph Birr, Lombard, Ill., lassigner to Precision Metal Workers, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application November 8, 1946, Serial No. 708,755

1 .The present invention relates to improvements in base structures for standards adapted to support various articles of furniture and other flxtures.

The primary objects of the present invention are to provide a base structure which can be made at low cost by inexpensive and expeditious manufacturing methods, and which is simple, rugged and durable in construction.

Other objects and advantages will become apy parent as the description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side view of a chair base embodying the features of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken along line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 3 and 4 are fragmentary vertical sectional views taken respectively along lines 3-3 and 4-4 of Figs. 2 and 1;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the central head of the base structure shown at an intermediate stage in the course of manufacture.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the base structure, constituting the exemplary embodiment of the invention, although adapted for various kinds of fixtures, is particularly suited for use as a posture chair base. In the specific form shown, the chair base comprises a central head I which is adapted to interconnect a plurality of supporting legs II, and which has a vertical guide sleeve I2 opening axially therethrough for adjustably receiving and supporting a depending standard I3 adapted to be attached at the upper end to the underside of the chair seat (not shown).

The central head I0 With the axial sleeve I2 constitutes a unit of complex shape which if produced as a metal casting would present difficulties in manufacture resulting in considerably increased cost. In the present instance, the head I0 is constructed of simple standard parts, such as at metal stock and metal tubes which are cut and shaped in simple stamping operations, and which are then suitably connected, as by riveting and welding, into an integral structure. Thus, the head I0 comprises two like circular plates I4 with central openings I5 which may be stamped or cut in any suitable manner out of a fiat metal sheet. The flat plates are then conveniently formed in a stamping operation to the desired shape. In the present instance, each plate is formed with a plurality of uniformlyspaced semi-cylindrical protuberances I6 struck outwardly from one side of the normal plane and 3 Claims. (Cl. 248-194) extending radially from the opening I5 to the outer periphery. The preformed plates I4 are rigidly secured together, as by means of rivets I'I in peripheral registration and flat face to face engagement, with their protuberances `I 6 disposed in opposed relation to define a plurality of cylindrical radial sockets I 8 for anchoring the legs I I as shown in Fig. 5.

The guide sleeve I2 is simply cut in the desired length from tubular stock. After the plates I4 have been rigidly joined, the precut sleeve I2 is inserted with a snug fit through the aligned openings I5. Preferably, the lower end of the sleeve I2 is inserted just sufficiently to extend completely across the inner ends of the sockets I8, and

slightly beyond the lower Walls thereof, as best shown in Fig. 4. As a result, most of the sleeve I2 is disposed above and projects upwardly from the head I0. Due to the curvature of the walls of the complemental protuberances I6, the peripheral edges of the openings I5 are, of course, deformed, but the stamping and drawing oper-ation is carried out in such a manner that the edges will conform to and snugly embrace the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve I2. The sleeve I2 is rigidly secured to the head I0 as indicated at I 9 by welding it to the marginal inner edge portions of the plates I4.

The supporting legs II may be of any suitable character, and in the present instance are of tubular construction bent into L-shaped form, with depending portions having casters 20 mounted in the lower ends and with horizontal portions adapted for connection at their inner ends to the head I 0. Thus, the cylindrical end of the horizontal portion of each leg II is inserted with a snug t into one of the sockets I8, and is rigidly 'secured therein against separation or rotation by means of a diametrical pin or rivet 2l.

The axial sleeve I2 is adapted to receive the standard I3 with a snug sliding t. In the present instance, the standard I3 is shown as a solid cylindrical rod formed along one side with a spline groove 22, and in the other side with a longitudinal series of spaced locating recesses 23. A xed spline pin 24 is extended through one side wall of the sleeve I2 into engagement within the groove 22 to constrain the standard or post I3 against rotation. A spring actuated detent 25 is mounted on the opposite side wall of the sleeve I2, and provided with a plunger 26 adapted for selective engagement in any one of the recesses 23 to lock the post I3 adjustably in any desired vertical position.

It will be evident that I have provided a chair base which is extremely simple and inexpensive in construction, and which, at the same time, is strong and rugged so as to provide a sturdy .connection between the legs and an ample and stabilized support for the chair seat. All of the elements of the chair base can be expeditiously and inexpensively produced from ordinary stock parts, such as tubes and ila't sheet material, and then joined together in a rigid lunitary construction.

VVhat I claim is: l

1. A supporting base for a vertical standard comprising, in combination, two circular metal plates riveted together'in flat face to face engagement to constitute a central head,each plate being preformed with a central circular opening and with a plurality of uniformly spaced semicylindrical protuberances struck outwardly from one side of the normal plane and extending radially from said opening to the outer periphery, said protuberances of said plates being located in registering opposed relation to dene cylindrical sockets, a plurality of generally L-shaped tubular metal legs having horizontal end portions respectively extending into and pinned. against rotation and endwise movement Within said sockets, a tubular metal guide sleeve extending through and welded to the marginal edge portions of said openings in said plates and projecting upwardly therefrom to slidably receive a cylindrical post, means associated with said sleeve for,v constrain- -ing said post against rotation therein, and means associated with said sleevefor lockingv said post in selected position of axial adjustment therein. v v

2. A supporting base for a vertical standard comprising, in combination, two plates rigidly secured together in flat registering faceto face engagement to constitute a central head, each plate being formed with a central opening and with a plurality of uniformly spaced protuberances struck outwardly from one side of the normal plane and extending from said opening to the outer perimeter, said protuberances of said plates being located in opposed relation to deiine sockets, auplurality of legs'having upper end portions extending into andrigidly secured within said sockets, and a, hollow guide sleeve extending through said openings in said plates and rigidly secured thereto and projecting upwardly therefrom to slidably receive and support a vertical post.

3. A supporting base for a vertical standard comprising, in combination, two separate preformed metal plates rigidly secured together in `flat face to face engagement to constitute a centrial head, said plates being formed with opposed portions to dene a. plurality of radial sockets spaced about the periphery, a plurality of separate pre-formed legs having upper end portions extending into and rigidly secured Within said sockets, and a separate pre-formed guide sleeve opening centrally through and rigidly secured to said plates and projecting upwardly therefrom to slidably receivea vertical standard,

RUDOLPH BIRRQ REFERENCES e CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent: M Y

' UNITED STATES' PATENTS 2,295,281 Grunwald v s Sept; .2, 1942 

